Home and Away’s Ethan Browne and Kawakawa Fox-Reo’s friendship brings chaotic goodness to the Summer Bay set

Home and Away’s Kawakawa Fox-Reo and Ethan Browne may be family on screen, but when cameras aren’t rolling, their real-life bond springs to life!

As members of the Parata family, life isn’t always smooth in Summer Bay for their characters Nik (Kawa) and Tane (Ethan). Luckily, that’s all pretend because they seem to be lovable goofballs who bring out each other’s cheeky side.

Their relationship began in 2020 when they were cast on the show, and as they were bonding over their big break, they also found solace within their shared histories – both actors are New Zealand born from Māori descent.

They have even been able to showcase their culture on the show, and in one episode, they had a classic hangi feast in the background of a scene.

Kawa’s character is Ethan’s nephew, and the latter latched onto their on-screen power dynamic to make fun of his colleague for his birthday.

Taking to his Instagram, he shared a video of Kawa taking a nap on set, but peace is not in his vocabulary, so he abruptly woke him up.

Ethan captioned the hilarious moment, “Happy birthday my g hope you had a meke day niece eer newphew!”

Watch Ethan wake up Kawa for his birthday below.

But this is far from the first time they have taken the mickey out of each other.

In August 2021, they brutally pranked each other, and it was totally chaotic and totally ridiculous.

Kawa was the first to kick off the games by throwing a square of cheese onto Ethan while he was taking a nap (these two maybe shouldn’t take naps in the same room), and his reaction, which was documented via video, was nothing short of amazing.

At first, it took him a second to recognise what had just happened to him, and when the actor finally processed that food had been thrown on him, he couldn’t wipe the smile from his face.

Ethan got his revenge, though.

In the afternoon, he posted his response onto Instagram, but his weapon of choice was wholemeal bread.

Kawa was reclined on a set couch while he minded his own business, but he shouldn’t have been so comfortable because Ethan snuck up from behind and slapped the slice over him.

Once he realised what had happened, Kawa’s smile shifted from confused to a knowing grin.

Watch their food war in the video below. Part I: Kawa goes in for the kill.

Part II: Ethan takes his revenge.

We have found some of their cutest moments together from over the years, and it’s so clear they are brothers.